3.29.2011

The BMW M3 is a high performance version of BMW’s 3 Series



The BMW M3 is a high performance version of BMW’s 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series has been regarded as marking the sedan compact sport coupe and convertible. Taking this vehicle has athletic to new heights is the M version, known as the BMW M3. Bimmer in the world, the letter M represents the company’s performance division Motorsports. These engineers have fun adjusting the engine of a particular model of BMW for more output, update the suspension even more agile handling and add outdoor sports and interior design elements. Throughout his two decades in the U.S. market, BMW M3 has been a favorite of fans looking for sports-car performance and handling of a four-place car true. Although the content of burble gently around doing duty as daily driver, M3 becomes a writer-back road when conditions permit and give their pilots the opportunity to attack corners with precision and enthusiasm with their missiles
Based on the current generation 3 Series, the M3 is offered in only one trim level, between the coupe, sedan and hardtop convertible body styles. Each is powered by a 4.0-liter V8, good for 414 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, it accelerates to a 8,400 rpm redline exciting. A six-speed manual is the standard way of sending power to the rear wheels and a seven-speed manual gearbox with automated clutch paddle shifters is optional. M3s also get updates from specific hardware, such as more powerful brakes, stiffer suspension tuning and a limited slip rear differential specialist. Like previous M3s, the current model comes well equipped with the latest luxurious amenities, which in this case includes xenon headlights, leather upholstery, heated power sport seats and an audio system, 10 speakers. The convertible has a hardtop and sun-reflective leather nifty. Features like 19-inch wheels, heated seats, satellite radio, navigation system and iDrive M Sport custom performance settings are optional. The competition package available on the coupe and sedan adds a lowered suspension, wide track and a reprogrammed electronic control systems for cushioning and stability.
While stars were M3s past performance, the new M3 coupe is simply one of the best cars to grace our test track. He accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a blistering 4.6 seconds and came to a stop from 60 mph in an extremely short 100 feet. The slalom and skid pad test results were also on par with much more expensive supercars, during the on-road handling is beyond reproach.

The current generation BMW M3 was introduced in 2008 and has not changed much since then. For 2009, the BMW iDrive system updated and refreshed the style of the M3 sedan is a little bit. The competition package was new for 2011. The previous M3 lasted from 2001-’06 and was available in coupe and convertible body styles. There was a single cutoff for both powered by a 3.2-liter six-cylinder producing 333 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard, while a gearbox six-speed sequential manual (SMG) was offered as a starting option for the 2002 model year. The latter allows manual-style shift via paddle shifters beside the steering wheel, and although it was popular, they were not fans of his herky-jerky performance.
The changes were minor during the lifetime of this generation M3. A CD player became standard for 2002, while the following year saw the addition of some extra convenience features, plus an improved navigation system based on DVD. (The first was based on CD.) The only major came in 2005 with the Competition Package (coupe only), which provided some of the hardware’s high-performance M3 CSL European market, as the 19-inch forged wheels, revised adjustment suspension, a quicker steering ratio, upgraded brakes and less intrusive way to the Track control system stability.
Every road test of M3 sang praises of the car in terms of handling extremely balanced grip and prodigious telepathic communication between car and driver. The disadvantages of this car does not compromise performance, are few: one ride hard, tinny exhaust note, and more wind and road noise in the convertible that could be expected. For diehard sports car enthusiasts who need four seats, that does not get much better than the BMW M3. However, these cars tend to be driven hard and owners often change them, so it is important to examine an example used carefully before signing on the dotted line.




The second generation M3 was introduced in 1995 and was a tidy package, with only subtle rocker panel extensions, tri-color “M” badges and different wheels to separate it from ordinary 3 Series. Along with a buttery smooth 240-hp inline-6, this generation of enthusiasts with its M3 courted ripping performance, finely balanced chassis and everyday livability. For the enthusiast on a budget, this is perhaps the best deal for a used M3, combining a wide variety of body styles (coupe, sedan and convertible) along with a lot of fun and performance at an affordable price. The coupe ran this entire generation from 1995-’99, while the sedan (1997 and 1998) and convertible (1998 and 1999) were only briefly available and are consequently more difficult to find. The first generation of the BMW M3 was the most radical. Running from 1988-’91, the M3 was essentially a hard-edged version of a track ready sports coupe 3 Series. These bubbles M3s featured aggressively fenders front and rear, slightly thicker C-pillars that allowed a sloped rear window more aggressively, and a top cover equipped with a trunk spoiler. Under the extrovert body was not an inline-6, but a highly tuned 16-valve DOHC inline-4 that folded out, in turn, a very impressive 195 horsepower without the aid of a turbocharger and supercharger. A first-generation M3 unmolested is a rare find these days and tends to require more maintenance and care of the car the second generation, because of its more specialized motor of four cylinders.

2012 Honda Civic Red Edition

2012 Honda Civic Red Edition
Featuring the widest variety of engine options available in its class, the 2012 Civic is designed to better meet the diverse needs of the buyer of the vehicle when it launches this compact spr ing. The entire redesigned ninth-generation Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient, with two models – the new Civic and Civic Hybrid IC – each estimated fuel economy that provides higher more than 40 mpg on the highway. Built on the tradition of Honda’s fuel efficiency, the economic model Civic HF will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline powered Civic in the lineup just when it launches this spring. Equipped with a motor i-VTEC 1.8-liter, HF Civic is targeted to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy1 of 41 mpg on the highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be fitted first with a lithium-ion batteries and a bigger engine of 1.5 liter i-VTEC, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city / highway combined fuel economy1 45 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg compared with the current Civic Hybrid. Both the HF Civic and Civic Hybrid models will be equipped with aerodynamic components to improve efficiency and Honda AssistTM ECO technology, an innovation that can improve the efficient operation of the vehicle, providing feedback to promote more efficient driving styles of individual.

“The Civic is the only model in the industry can deliver on all fronts – fuel economy, performance, sporty, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing fuel economy in all areas, from the hybrid sedan with the sporty Si.” In addition to HF and Civic Civic Hybrid models, the Civic sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX natural gas models are also estimated to achieve better fuel economy compared to current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe get an EPA-estimated fuel economy2 of 39 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas Vehicle is expected to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy over the current model. The Civic sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models are all equipped with ECO
Along with saving fuel, the new Civic lineup also offers more performance, especially with the Civic Si sedan and the Civic Si coupe models are equipped with a larger, more powerful engine of 2.4 liters, and a new manual transmission 6 speeds. The new engine is expected to deliver 200 horsepower with 170 lb ft of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22 percent increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA highway fuel-estimated 31 mpg in economy1, an increase of 2 mpg compared to the current model. The lineup includes a 2012 Civic sedan and coupe with a conventional gasoline models, a new “HF” version high fuel economy, sporty two “Si” performance versions, along with a hybrid and a variant of natural gas to alternative fuels .